Semaphore-blade grip.



H. B. TAYLOR.

SEMAPHORE BLADE GRIP.

APPLICATION FILED Auw?, 1916.

Patnted May14,1918.

narran sraras ramener ortica.

HERBERT B. TAYLOR, OF WESTFIELD. NEW JERSEY. ASSIGNOR TO HALL SWITCH &SIGNAL C0., A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

SEMAPHORE-BLADE GRIP.

Application filed August 17, 1916.

fo all 'whom t may conce/rn:

Be it known that l, HERBERT B. TAYLOR, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of the town of Westfield. county of Union, and State ofNew Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSemaphore-BladeGrips, 'of which the following is a specification. y

My invention consists of certain new and useful improvements insemaphore blade grips and more specifically in the novel means ofattaching the semaphore blade grip to the semaphore mechanism shaft.This means has a number of advantages over the old method of attachment,such as avoiding the destruction of the shaft bearings upon n theremoval of the semaphore bladey grip from the shaft, on account of thepounding which was necessary to accomplish this in the old form ofsemaphore blade grip.

The invention further eliminates the trouble heretofore experienced dueto rusting of the semaphore blade grip to its shaft often necessitatingthe breaking of the same to remove it from its shaft.

Another object ofthe invention is to enable a maintainer to loosen theblade grip and then to use both hands in the removal of the same. Thisis a vitalfeature as the blade grip is of considerable weight. Defect ofother blade grips in this respect has undoubtedly been the cause of manyaccidents.

A further advantage in this invention is in the fact that broaching oftapering holes is absolutely eliminated and the blade grip will alwaysbe tight upon its shaft and will not be subject to breakage at thispoint, due to lost motion, as in the old type of blade r1 a ther novelfeatures and advantages will be apparent from the accompanyingdescription and will be more specifically described and claimed in theappended claims which form a part of this speciiication.

Referring to the figures on the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is afront elevation of one form of the semaphore blade grip embodying myinvention.

Fig. 2 is a partial section of the same through A-A of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section through B-B of Fig. 1. with the bolt removed.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of a semaphore blade grip showing a modifiedform of my invention.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 14, 1918.

serial No. 115.559.

Fig. 5 is a section through C--C of Figa.

Fig. 6 is a section through D-D of Fig. i with the bolt and springremoved.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of a complete signal mechanism with myinvention thereon.

Referring to the hgures, I show a semaphore blade (1) attached by meansof bolts (2) by av pressed steel spectacle carrying member (3). This isattached by means of bolts (4) to a main casting which has a flat 'upperface (6) in the center of which a 90 degree V shaped groove (7) isformed. A corresponding clamp casting (8) is arranged with a fiatunder-face (9) and a cooperating 9() degree V shaped groove (10)arranged to act in cooperation with the V shaped groove (7) andthecasting (5) to form a clamping jaw when these two castings aresuitably clamped together'. The casting (8) is provided with bolt'holes(11) arranged to aline with the bolt holes (12) in the casting and onthe underside of bolt holes (12) in the casting (5) openings (21) areprovided through the casting to permit of the insertion of nuts (13) insuch a manner that they cannot turn. The shaft (14C) of the signalmechanism is provided with a square section (15) and a suitable head(16). It can be seen from the above description that if the bolts (17are slackened that the castings (8) and (5) may be separatedsufficiently to allow the head (16) Ato slide in between the V shapedgrooves (7) and (10). If these bolts (17) are now drawn up it will beseen that the whole device will be rigidly clamped to the square section(15) of the shaft (1li), the head (16) making it impossible for thedevice to slide off the end of the shaft.

In Fig. 4 I show a modified form of construction as follows -There is arecess (18) formed in the upper casting (8) to take a spiral spring (19)about the shank of the bolt (17) and so arranged to press against theface (5) of casting (5) and the face (20) of the recess (18).

The object of these springs (19) is to force the castings (5) and (8)apart when the bolts (17) are slaclrened and thereby facilitate theremoval of the semaphore from the shaft.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that I have provided avery simple and convenient construction which will greatly facilitatethe placing and removal of semaphore blades in the field, which up tothe present time has been a considerable sourcel of trouble.

l do not wish to be restricted to the specitic form as herein shown, asit is obvious that a considerable number of modifications can be made inthe design of the apparatus without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

Having described my invention what l claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is l. In combination with a railroad semaphoremechanism, mechanism shaft, a semaphore, and a semaphore blade gripcoinprising two parts adapted to be clamped together to ret-ain thesemaphore upon said mechanism shaft, clamping means and meansincorporated in the blade grip for :forcing said parts apart upon theslackening of said clamping means.

2. ln combination with a railroad semaphore mechanism, a semaphore, anoperating shaft, a squared section formed between two shoulders andadjacent the end of said shaft, and a semaphore blade grip Comprisingtwo `parts adapted to be clamped together to retain the semaphore uponsaid shaft, clamping means and means incorporated in the blade grip forforcing said parts apart upon the slackening of said clamping means.'

3. In combination with a railroad semaphore mechanism, a semaphore, anoperating shaft deformed adjacent the end thereof to prevent rot-ationthereon, and a semaphore blade grip comprising tw@ parte adapted to beclamped together to retain the semaphore upon said shaft, clamping meansand means incorporated ,in the blade grip Lassalle for forcing saidparts apart upon the slackening of said clamping means.

+L. ln combination with a railroad semaphore mechanism, a semaphore, anoperatI ing shaft, a squared section formed between two shoulders andadjaceniL the end of said shaft, a semaphore blade grip comprising twoCo-acting parts having V shaped grooves formed therein and adapted tofit upon the squared section between said shoulders, and bolts adaptedto clamp the eo-acting parts together to retain the semaphore upon saidshaft, and means incorporated in the blade grip for forcing said partsapart upon the slaclrening of said clamping means.

ln combination'with a railroad sem-aA phore mechanism, a semaphore, anoperating shaft deformed adjacent the end thereof to prevent rotationthereon, a semaphore blade grip comprising two parts adapted to beclamped together to retain the semaphore upon the shaft, and meansincorporated in the blade grip for forcing said parts apart upon theslaokening of the clamping means.

6. in combination with a railroad semaphore mechanism, a semaphore, anoperating shaft, a squared section formed between two shoulders andadjacent the end of said shaft, a semaphore blade grip comprising twoflo-acting parts haif'ing v shaped grooves formed therein and adapted toi'it upon the squared section between said shoulders, bolts adapted toclamp the coacting parts together to retain the semaphore upon theshaft, and means comprising springs for forcing said parts apart uponthe slaclrening of said bolts.

ln testimony whereof, l have signed my name to this specification.

H. B. TAYLOR.

@epics et' this patent may he obtained for ive cents each, oy addressingthe Gommissoner of Eatente, Washington, D. E.

